I think it’s very important to note the success we’ve had in the secondary since you’ve been here. In fact, the last five years, we’ve had at least one defensive back make the Pro Bowl each season.

A simple question, but what makes Casey Hayward so special?

Milus: His instincts are probably his biggest asset. Obviously he also has the ability to make a play on the ball. But instinctively, he sees plays before they happen. It’s, ‘OK, the last time they were in that formation this happened, or the last time this guy took that split this happened.’ He has an idea of what might happen before they snap the ball.

Locks - Casey Hayward
Hayward has cemented himself as one of the best corners in the league. He’s objectively top 3 anyway you slice it. Hayward is always around the ball. He has broken up 20+ passes the last 2 years. He is such a key competent on what has a chance to be one of the better units in the NFL.

What does it mean to get Jason Verrett back healthy, and where do you see him fitting in?

Milus: Oh, it’s huge! A couple years ago, everyone in the league thought very highly of Jason and where he was as a football player. The last couple years he’s been hurt, but what I saw the last couple practices of minicamp, it seems that his quickness is starting to come back. His change of direction is coming back. All I know is that our players are excited for him, I’m excited for him, and he feels like he’s going to come back to where he was.

Locks - Jason Verrett
The biggest tease in the NFL. Verrett is undoubtedly a top talent at the position. Verrett’s issue is he can’t stay on the field to showcase his skills. Put it like this: last year Hayward got his hands on more passes tan Verrett has played in his entire career. That doesn’t seem good. As skilled as Verrett is, you have to wonder how his health impacts how many corners the team keeps.

Trevor Williams came on and really impressed as a starter the past two years. How are you going to be able to play all these guys?!

Milus: That’s a good question (laughs). At the end of the day, they are all going to get an opportunity to play. A guy like Trevor, we know we can count on him as a starter in this league. He’s been one for us for a year and a half. We’re going to figure this out as we go.

Trevor has a steady demeanor. He has a great way (that) he goes about preparing. Those all help him, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s 6-0 and runs a 4.4-something. He’s a football player. Let’s just put it that way. He’s been able to come in and fit in no matter what situation we put him in. He’s able to excel.

Locks - Trevor Williams - For a number 2 corner, who had completely stunk it up the year prior as a rookie, Williams was fantastic in 2017. You could really see him turn the corner after he went head to head with Odell Beckham Jr. and held his own. Williams is a terrific run defender and would make for a great nickel corner. If Verrett is healthy, that should be Williams role. If not he can slide by outside like last year and hopefully continue to grow as a player.

Desmond King had such a steady rookie year. Have you seen him take another step in his development heading into his second season?

It’s funny you say that because I was just telling Desmond the other day that where he’s at now, I think he’s come a long way from where he was early last season. Mentally and physically. Where he’s at now, he’s one of the better tacklers on our football team. He’s preparing exactly how he should be preparing.

Locks - Dez King
Verrett’s health directly affects King’s playing time the most in my opinion. We’ll still see King on the field. Just not as much at corner is my guess. Maybe at safety. Possibly at dime linebacker. I do think he’ll see the field in his sophomore stint but King’s role will likely be reduced.

You mentioned Michael Davis earlier. What does he need to do in order to take his game to the next level?

Milus: Oh, Michael has improved as much as anyone. He really has. He has a better understanding of what we’re doing on defense, and he’s putting himself in the right situations to succeed. Mike’s thing is that he has height, weight, and he can really run fast. Now he’s starting to put all that together.

Going to have to fight for it

Michael Davis
Davis has the side/speed combo, but he has the upper hand due to his special teams experience. There will be 5 corners or more on the active roster. Davis should be the favorite coming into camp, but will it stay like that for long?

Tony Brown
The undrafted free agent from Alabama certainly has the pedigree. National Champion multiple years. He competed for a spot on the U.S. National Track & Field team after placing 6th in the 110 Hurdles in 2016, & 11th in the 100 meter dash in 2017. He’s fast. He was known for his special teams prowess as well. Brown is the popular undrafted free agent in the secondary to make the team.

We run a single-high defense under Gus Bradley with the strong safety in the box and the free up high as the eraser. I don’t think enough is said about how vital that free safety is when it comes to this scheme.

Milus: It’s very, very important You mentioned ago about the eraser - the middle-of-the-field guy. If something were to break, we’ve got to count on that guy to get the person on the ground to eliminate a potential explosive run. Or an explosive pass that may make it down field. The guy’s just got to be a steady guy, a good tackler…he’s got to have poise, he’s got to have patience. He may only get about six or seven plays in a whole game, but those six or seven plays are the important plays. The other guy is important, too. The strong safety. He’s a half-linebacker, half-defensive back because he’s so close to the line of scrimmage. He’s an integral part of our run defense.

Jahleel Addae started last year at strong but for his first four years was free. Derwin James can play both as well. How important is training camp and preseason in figuring out where those two are going to fit in, and who you want to play where?

Milus: That’s still a work in progress. We’re still trying to figure out where Derwin’s at mentally in our system. We kind of know what Jahleel is able to do, and he can float back to free, he can play strong. Plus, we’ve got AP (Adrian Phillips) and Rayshawn (Jenkins) who can also play both positions, so the three guys we had a year ago are very flexible. All three of them can play strong safety or free safety, and now we’re just trying to figure out where to slide Derwin into the equation.

Your first season with the Chargers was when this undrafted kid named Jahleel Addae was just trying to earn a spot. Now he is the veteran of this group and is the longest tenured player. Just how proud are you of Jahleel?

Milus: I’m happy for him. I’m very happy for him. Jahleel is a hard worker. I keep telling his parents how good of a job they did. For a guy who handles himself on and off the field like he does, he’s a guy I’d consider a true pro.

With Derwin, what does he need to do in training camp and preseason in order to really get himself ready for Week 1?

Milus: I think the biggest thing is to really get the nuances of our defense. He’s done a heck of a job, but just some of the things that Jahleel, AP and Rayshawn have already seen, he hasn’t been exposed to yet. But physically, the guy is everything we asked him to be, so he’s going to be a good player.

Everyone talks about Derwin, but Rayshawn Jenkins was a fourth-round pick a year ago who the team is high on, as well. He got his feet wet last year, but it’s almost as though he’s kind of a forgotten guy by fans and the media after drafting James. Where do you see Rayshawn’s development, and what are your expectations?

Milus: Rayshawn came back in tremendous shape. He’s got speed. He’s got size. He’s improving every day. I like where he’s at right now. This competition is going to be fierce for who goes on the field, and Rayshawn is in the equation. Were we to play a game today, he’d probably be out there. It’ll be interesting in August to actually put the pads on and see where everyone is at.

Adrian Phillips manages to force the issue and get on the field. What is his role this year, and where does he fit in?

Milus: He always kind of figures out a way to get on the field. If it’s at one of the safety positions or if he’s in one of our other subpackages, he’s the utility guy. He always figures a way to get on the field or to fix it. He never worries about it, or if the reps might not have been as many as he would have liked in OTAs. At the end of the day, we’re going to need him.

We signed Jaylen Watkins in free agency. He’s played corner and safety, but is the idea to keep him at safety right now? How has he looked?

Milus: The last week was his best week. Jaylen is a Super Bowl champion. He’s smart, he’s athletic and he’s versatile. He’s one of those guys kind of like Derwin (because) he’s learning our system, and as they get more familiar with what we’re doing, it gets easier. He’s played corner, but we’re starting him off as free safety. But don’t be surprised if he does both. He can play nickel. He can do all those things.

I think you have to go back to the early 60s to find a secondary that compares to this one. If they can stop the run = Top 5 Defense. Even significantly slow the run - i don’t think teams can win with a run-only offense anymore.

That is, not unless they have a Bears 85 or Ravens type #1 defense that punches teams in th mouth and takes the ball from them.

With as many solid corners as they have, if any of the (current or former) UDFA's "turn the corner", how can we *not* see a trade involving someone from this position group that nets the LB they're still looking for?

__________________
"Believe nothing-- no matter where you read it, or who has said it, even if I have said it-- unless it agrees with your own reason, and your own common sense."

I think you have to go back to the early 60s to find a secondary that compares to this one. If they can stop the run = Top 5 Defense. Even significantly slow the run - i don’t think teams can win with a run-only offense anymore.

That is, not unless they have a Bears 85 or Ravens type #1 defense that punches teams in th mouth and takes the ball from them.

Health permitting, the roster isn't far off from having virtually ALL of the components it needs to be as good as Gus Bradley's 'Legion of Boom' defense was during his time with the Seahawks.

It's the DT-MLB triangle of players-- the heart of any defense's ability to stop the run-- that looks shakiest, of course. I will definitely be watchful of #3 pick Justin Jones' progress as camp gets underway.

I wouldn't expect any of the UDFA linebackers to be an improvement over Korey Tomer, so I'm expecting a vet to be added to the mix, probably sooner (opening of camp) than later (final roster cutdown).

__________________
"Believe nothing-- no matter where you read it, or who has said it, even if I have said it-- unless it agrees with your own reason, and your own common sense."

With as many solid corners as they have, if any of the (current or former) UDFA's "turn the corner", how can we *not* see a trade finvolving someone from this position group that nets the LB they're still looking for?

which DB would they have to give up to get a starting MLB? who has multiple starting caliber MLBs that would be desperate for a DB?

which DB would they have to give up to get a starting MLB? who has multiple starting caliber MLBs that would be desperate for a DB?

I'm speculating, not predicting anything in particular.

Does this speculation seem foolhardy to you?!?

I personally don't think it's unrealistic.

And I'm not suggesting that the Bolts would end up with a young, up-and-coming star MLB in any such trade. But I will remind you that recent years *have* seen some young, quality LBs (like Kiko Alonzo and Kyle Van Noy, f'rinstance) get traded. Sometimes it's a depth thing (like it would be for the Chargers, having a spare CB). Sometimes, it's predicated by a change of system or coaching philosophy that makes a given player less valuable to the team than he previously was, and therefore dispensable.

__________________
"Believe nothing-- no matter where you read it, or who has said it, even if I have said it-- unless it agrees with your own reason, and your own common sense."

And I'm not suggesting that the Bolts would end up with a young, up-and-coming star MLB in any such trade. But I will remind you that recent years *have* seen some young, quality LBs (like Kiko Alonzo and Kyle Van Noy, f'rinstance) get traded. Sometimes it's a depth thing (like it would be for the Chargers, having a spare CB). Sometimes, it's predicated by a change of system or coaching philosophy that makes a given player less valuable to the team than he previously was, and therefore dispensable.

not at all - i was looking to expand on the idea. we all just read the depth chart in this thread, it was a real question to debate.

would i pull your leg? i mean, cmon ... who was there when you fell in your own trunk trying to reach for what was (ironically) an already empty jack bottle? i'm always there for you, brah.

would i pull your leg? i mean, cmon ... who was there when you fell in your own trunk trying to reach for what was (ironically) an already empty jack bottle? i'm always there for you, brah.

I have *no* idea what you're talking about, but I'd rep 'ya if I could!

Someone somewhere mentioned Randall Godfrey, a quality player the Chargers managed to acquire late in his career, while he still had 2-3 good years left to offer. That's the kind of player I think the Bolts could end up with.

Some people think it could be Navarro Bowman. And if he truly has anything left in the tank, it *could* be.

(Although Bowman is a UFA, as I understand it, and would not require a trade to sign.)

__________________
"Believe nothing-- no matter where you read it, or who has said it, even if I have said it-- unless it agrees with your own reason, and your own common sense."

I’m in favor of dragging bowman into camp and knocking the tires to see what he has. He’s lost a step but his lost step could still have him out front of Perryman anyway. We need depth on the inside imo, it was a weak point and nothing was added.

And if there was a possible trade for a better mike ... i’d be willing to consider Verrett, or Williams as an exchange. I’m with you - that was my follow up question - which of the CBs would be likely candidates to dangle as bait? I do not dangle Hayward, no deal no way, not gonna even talk. But the next two on the list - yeah, if the Mike was a starter caliber, i’m listening ... I could live with just one of the two.

... And I'm not suggesting that the Bolts would end up with a young, up-and-coming star MLB in any such trade. But I will remind you that recent years *have* seen some young, quality LBs (like Kiko Alonzo and Kyle Van Noy, f'rinstance) get traded....

I’m in favor of dragging bowman into camp and knocking the tires to see what he has. He’s lost a step but his lost step could still have him out front of Perryman anyway. We need depth on the inside imo, it was a weak point and nothing was added.

And if there was a possible trade for a better mike ... i’d be willing to consider Verrett, or Williams as an exchange. I’m with you - that was my follow up question - which of the CBs would be likely candidates to dangle as bait? I do not dangle Hayward, no deal no way, not gonna even talk. But the next two on the list - yeah, if the Mike was a starter caliber, i’m listening ... I could live with just one of the two.

Verrett is the most logical candidate, for two reasons: his injury history, and where he is, contract-wise.

Which is, 2018 is the fourth and final year of Verrett's rookie contract, although the club has an option to add a fifth year, at a fairly inflated price.

So a decision about Verrett has to be made soon, anyway. My hope is that-- with the amazing depth of CB talent the club currently has-- Gus Bradley can (if Verrett is retained) identify a role for him that would capitalize on his fly-paper coverage skills, while shielding him from most of the mayhem on the field. Would that possibly be the slot corner?

__________________
"Believe nothing-- no matter where you read it, or who has said it, even if I have said it-- unless it agrees with your own reason, and your own common sense."

Verrett is the most logical candidate, for two reasons: his injury history, and where he is, contract-wise.

Which is, 2018 is the fourth and final year of Verrett's rookie contract, although the club has an option to add a fifth year, at a fairly inflated price.

So a decision about Verrett has to be made soon, anyway. My hope is that-- with the amazing depth of CB talent the club currently has-- Gus Bradley can (if Verrett is retained) identify a role for him that would capitalize on his fly-paper coverage skills, while shielding him from most of the mayhem on the field. Would that possibly be the slot corner?

I would agree but i fear he has relatively low trade value. he's barely touched chalk in 2 years. Do any of them not named Hayward have value commensurate with a starting MLB?

or are we talking a backup for backup swap? I still might favor that but it doesn't solve that weakness. if it is a weakness.